Cultural Programs Might Face Cuts

County Tourist Council Suggests Giving More Money To Sports Agencies

WEST PALM BEACH - — The Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council on Thursday recommended cuts in its contributions to arts and cultural organizations while increasing support to sports and film agencies.

The TDC's decision, which amounts to a shift in the way tourist tax dollars are distributed, could result in a loss of about $140,000 next year to arts and cultural programs, said Will Ray, president of the Palm Beach Cultural Council. To offset the shortfall, the Cultural Council will have to cut four staff positions or cut back on the agency's cultural publications, Ray said.

"This is the only dollars the county spends on culture in Palm Beach County," he said. "The Tourist Development fund has been given the burden of funding culture, and now it's being reduced."

The TDC serves as an advisory board to the County Commission on tourism issues. It distributes hotel tax dollars to five agencies, which in turn disperse the money to local organizations throughout the county.

The recommendations must go to the County Commission for consideration and final approval.

The TDC recommended an increase in the Palm Beach County Sports Commission's share of the pie from 3.7 percent to 5 percent.

The council also decided to allow the Film Commission to receive a direct share of bed tax revenue instead of being financed through the Cultural Council and the Discover Palm Beach County, the county's tourism marketing agency.

The TDC's recommendations also cut the share for beach renourishment projects.

"The [sports and film] agencies have done well in the last two years in increasing tourism to Palm Beach County," said Tom Lynch, a TDC member and mayor of Delray Beach. "They should be compensated so they could do more."

Although the Cultural Council's financing for the 1995-96 fiscal year exceeds current levels, the recommendation will hurt the council because it expected to receive about $140,000 more from the TDC, Ray said.

The Cultural Council's board is scheduled to vote on its grant recommendations to local art organizations on May 30.

The arts groups face opposition from tourism officials, including Mike Arnold, president of the Hotel and Motel Association, who says art organizations don't attract people to the county and fill hotel rooms.

"Strictly from what generates room-nights, people come here for shopping, beaches and other amenities," Arnold said. "The arts doesn't pull people from Orlando."

But the proposed cuts to financing beach renourishment and culture are two amenities that benefit locals, Ray said. He pointed to statewide studies that show tourists who enjoy cultural programs spend more money and stay longer.

The Cultural Council will try to garner public support to fight the recommendation when it goes before the County Commission, Ray said.